Second stage places decided, surprise names secure top spots

04 Sep 2016

Germany’s Caroline Hajok safely through to the main the draw in the Women’s Singles event, having completed her initial stage matches on the third day of action; in the remaining groups on Saturday 3rd September, the question was to as to the names of the players who would emulate the top seed.

Contrary to expectations

However, top spot for Shahd Sameh and Manel Baklouti was contrary to expectations.

Shahd Sameh continued her good form of the previous day when she had beaten Germany’s Selja Fazlic, the no.2 seed, in a full distance five games duel (8-11, 11-8, 1-11, 11-6, 11-3); she ended her group matches with success in opposition to Tunisia’s Samar Hichri (12-14, 11-9, 11-2, 4-11, 11-4).

Selja Fazlic received a walk-over in her concluding match against Lebanon’s Christy Avida and thus secured second position and a place in the main draw.

The decision as to who would top the group lay in the hands of Manel Baklouti and Ramed Hamed, the two hitherto unbeaten players. The decision went in favour of Manel Baklouti, she beat Ramed Hamed in four games (11-6, 14-16, 11-8, 11-7).

Pole positions secured

Disappointment for Fadwa Garci in the Junior Girls’ Singles event but not in the Cadet Girls’ Singles competition where, occupying the no.2 seeded position, it was first place in her group.

Likewise it was pole position for Diya Parag Chitale, the top seed, as it was for Shahd Sameh, the no.3 seed and Manel Baklouti, the no.5 seed.

Disappointment for Islam Wenaiss

However, it was not the best of fortunes for Islam Wenaiss, the no.4 seed and like Manel Baklouti from Tunisia.

In her initial group phase match, she experienced defeat at the hands of Lebanon’s Laetitia Azar. She was beaten in four games (12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7).

Defeat in her opening contest but later she overcame Tunisia’s Farah Mahjoub in five games (11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8). A place in the main draw appeared a realistic possibility but there was a problem. Farah Mahjoub beat Laetitia Azar in four games (11-3, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5); thus games ratio decided the outcome.

Games ratio

Matters did not go in favour of Islam Wenaiss, on games ratio she finished in third place (4:5) behind Farah Mahjoub (5:4) and Laetitia Azar (4:4).

Players finishing in first and second places in each of the five groups advanced to the main draw; thus for Islam Wenaiss there was no place in the second stage.

Play concludes

Proceedings for the leading pairs in the Junior Girls’ Doubles event have yet to begin; play concludes on Sunday 4th September.